A motion submitted to the Pope County Quorum Court that would put to popular vote an ordinance requiring all county employees to pay for 50 percent of their insurance benefits died for lack of a second at the court’s regular meeting Thursday, followed by applause and sighs of relief from the audience full of county workers.

The ordinance, proposed by District 9 Justice Gordon E. Thornsberry, requested all county employees, whose benefits are paid in full by the county, pay half of the costs for their insurance — a motion that, if approved by the court and passed by the county’s voters in November, would save the county about $500,000 annually.

According to Pope County Treasurer Donna Wall, the county paid for 241 full-time county employees’ benefits in April at a cost of $344.82 per employee. The county pays about $1 million in health care benefits for its employees annually.

County Judge Jim Ed Gibson said the county pays for its employees’ benefits in full to make up for lower pay. He added if employees are required to pay more, they may drop their insurance, which could cause premiums to increase, costing the county more.

Thornsberry said although he thought the ordinance would be beneficial to the county, he expected its denial.

“I’m sorry that the ordinance didn’t pass,” Thornsberry said. “I wish the other JPs were as interested in saving Pope County’s money as I am, especially on the benefits. I think the benefits have gotten out of hand.”

Thornsberry said the county is irresponsible in its issuance of benefits by paying 100 percent of its employees’ health insurance and retirement.

Thornsberry tabled an ordinance he proposed that would put the issue of time clock management for county employees on the November ballot to allow time for an amendment stating all county employees must clock in using a biometric time clock system. Thornsberry also amended his ordinance to include protocol for vacation, sick and other necessary pay, as such were not included in the original proposal.

While Thornsberry’s proposal to enforce a biometric time clock system has been rejected by the quorum court in the past, he said in an April 26 interview he feels it is an action necessary to prevent the county from losing money to employees who are working dishonestly, such as employees not clocking out for lunch breaks or having their coworkers or supervisors clock in for them.

“I presented these ordinances primarily because I am concerned about the taxpayer and I want the payer to know they have one justice of the peace who cares about how their money is spent,” he said. “But I will keep trying.”

In other business, the court:

n Voted to continue its enforcement of Ordinance No. 2011-O-52, which established a hiring freeze by the county and states all county employees must be approved by the quorum court prior to their hire.

n Approved a request by Pope County Sheriff Aaron DuVall to hire an employee for a vacant warrant clerk position, as well as appropriate funds for the sheriff’s department.

n Rejected a request to hire an employee for a vacant position in the Pope County Tax Assessor’s office.

n Rejected a request to transfer funds to compensate overtime pay for an Election Commission employee in the upcoming election month.

n Approved a resolution that will allow the Pope County Coroners and their deputies to acquire training through funds provided by the Arkansas Department of Health, and other non-county funding avenues.

n Approved a resolution appointing Don Keaster as president of the Crow Mountain Fire Protection District Board, and Tommy Spencer as vice president, both for two-year terms, and LeAnne Burris as secretary/treasurer and Joann Douthit as assessor, both for three-year terms.

n Rejected a resolution voicing the county’s opposition to lobbying practices in Arkansas.

n Heard from Gibson that Reuben Brown has been approved by Gov. Mike Beebe to fill a vacant position on the quorum court, as a result of former District 3 Justice Shirley Chisum’s death.